PRESIDENT’S FOREWORD
In 2017, we marked the 10th anniversary of the Jeffrey
Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences. We were
honoured that the Minister of Health, YB Datuk Seri Dr. S.
Subramaniam, officiated at our celebratory dinner. The
Jeffrey Cheah School has established itself as one of the
best medical schools in the region, producing outstanding
doctors who are helping to address the many health
challenges of our region.
In November, we were honoured with the maximum
six-star “outstanding” rating from the Malaysian Ministry of
Higher Education. This rating places us in the very top
cohort of universities in Malaysia and it is a wonderful
tribute to the expertise and dedication of our academic and
professional staff.
As the new Pro Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash
University Malaysia, I am proud to introduce this review of
our achievements in 2017.
Monash University Malaysia is the third largest campus of
Australia’s largest university. Among Australia’s leading
research-intensive universities, Monash has the distinction
of being the only one to establish a comprehensive
campus in the heart of Southeast Asia.
Over the past 20 years, Monash University Malaysia has
emerged as one of the most successful international
branch campuses in the world. Our location provides
wonderful opportunities for research and educational
engagement in this dynamic and innovative region,
responding to local and global needs.
This engagement is built on a strategic relationship with the
Sunway Group, our partner here in Malaysia. Sunway’s
remarkable corporate journey is a powerful reflection of our
region’s economic transformation. Over the past year, we
have been working to deepen our research relationship
with companies in the Sunway Group, capitalising on the
fact that both Monash and Sunway have made high-profile
commitments to sustainability and smart urban
development.
Our many achievements during 2017 are set out in this
Annual Review. I will draw particular attention to four of them.
Soon after this six-star excitement, we launched a
subsidiary company, Monash Malaysia R&D Sdn Bhd. This
research and development company will serve as a bridge
between academia and industry in Malaysia and beyond.
With more than 700 academic and doctoral researchers,
Monash University Malaysia is a powerful research hub,
right in the middle of a regional hotspot for industrial
development. We are, quite literally, open for business and I
look forward to building more strategic alliances with
industry partners.
Engagement with alumni is an equally valuable way of
strengthening links with our community. During 2017, a
total of 21 events have helped us to connect with over
1000 alumni, most of them from Monash University
Malaysia but also a very loyal and enthusiastic group who
graduated from Monash’s Australian campuses. I have
been enormously impressed by the diverse contributions
Monash graduates are making to government, industry and
civil society. Forging a strong relationship with them helps
keep our education and research programs relevant to the
real-world challenges that surround us.
I congratulate my colleagues on a very successful 2017,
and I hope you enjoy reading about our achievements.
PROFESSOR ANDREW WALKER
President & Pro Vice-Chancellor
Monash University Malaysia
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